MEIJER, UFCW EXTEND CONTRACT AFTER NEW OFFER IS REJECTED

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 951 here said it has extended its contract with locally based Meijer Inc. through Oct. 14, after members rejected an offer on a new agreement recommended by the union.

30,000 retail clerks and meatcutters at 53 Meijer stores in Michigan, as well as warehouse and transportation employees at the chain's local distribution center. Because the vote against the new contract proposal did not total two-thirds of those voting, no strike authorization was given, the official pointed out. She said the offer was rejected for a variety of reasons; however, she declined to provide details of the proposed contract or specific reasons why members opposed it. Executives at Meijer could not be reached for comment. The contract covers all stores in Michigan except three: a store in Traverse City, Mich., that operates on a non-union basis and stores in Lapeer and Owosso, Mich., that operate under a separate agreement from the rest of the state.